A/N: For the sake of this story, let's pretend that Hotaru turned back into a baby sometime after Galaxia and had a chance to have a normal childhood. I still don't own Sailor Moon
"Do you know what the cat says?"
Hotaru's small hands patted the picture of the cat as she thought about her answer.
"Meow!" she said with a happy smile on her face.
"That's right," Michiru smiled proudly and turned the page on the picture book. Haruka leaned against the doorframe.
"That's ridiculous," she said and crossed her arms. Michiru didn't even bother to look up at her.
"What do you mean?" she asked and let Hotaru turn the page again. Apparently the small girl wasn't interested in the picture of the horse.
"Why are you teaching her words about animals? You should teach her more useful words so she can have a proper conversation with us," Haruka said and watched as Hotaru pointed at a picture in the book.
"I think it will be a while before she can discuss politics or the news, Haruka. And besides, weren't you just trying to teach her the names of different types of cars?" Michiru pointed out with a raised eyebrow. Haruka mumbled something and sat down on the armchair. Michiru smiled and turned her attention back to Hotaru.
"Do you know what that animal is?" she asked as Hotaru's hand patted the picture. The small girl shook her head and turned to look up at Michiru for an answer.
"It's a sheep. Do you know what the sheep says?"
Haruka studied Michiru carefully. The smile on her girlfriend's face was beautiful. That same smile was there every time Hotaru was around. Parenthood really suited Michiru.
"Baa," Hotaru laughed and started to turn the page with her tiny hands. Soon she was pointing at a picture of a rabbit.
"That's a rabbit," Michiru said and looked up at Haruka with a challenging smile. What, does she want me to imitate a rabbit? Haruka thought and frowned. Her thoughts were quickly cut by Hotaru's happy voice.
"Mamo-chan!"
Both Michiru and Haruka stared at Hotaru with confused looks on their faces.
"What?" Michiru asked and Hotaru tapped at the picture of the rabbit.
"Mamo-chan," the girl repeated and tapped the picture again, as if to prove a point. Michiru's lips curved into a soft smile as she realised what Hotaru meant.
"Oh, yes, well that's what Usagi says. But I'm not sure if other rabbits say that too," she laughed and looked back at Haruka.
"Maybe we should teach the princess some new words instead," Haruka smiled and walked over to kneel next to Hotaru.
"Maybe," Michiru answered and helped Hotaru to turn the page. Haruka gave both of them kisses on their cheeks and left the room. She still thought that this was ridiculous, even though it was cute.